Riverside County, CA Single-Use Items: Utensils-On-Request (2026)
Key Facts
- State authority
- PRC 42270+ / AB 1276
- Customer trigger
- Must affirmatively request
- Annual penalty cap
- $300 per facility
- Exempt settings
- Hospitals and schools
Summary
California Assembly Bill 1276 requires food facilities, including those in Riverside County, to provide single-use foodware accessories and condiments only on customer request or at self-serve stations.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply: (a) 'Consumer' has the same meaning as in Section 113757 of the Health and Safety Code. (b) 'Food facility' has the same meaning as in Section 113789 of the Health and Safety Code. (c) 'Ready-to-eat food' has the same meaning as in Section 113881 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) 'Single-use' means designed to be used once and then discarded, and not designed for repeated use and sanitizing. (e) 'Single-use foodware accessory' means all of the following single-use items provided alongside ready-to-eat food: (1) Utensils, which is defined as forks, knives, spoons, and sporks. (2) Chopsticks. (3) Condiment cups and packets. (4) Straws. (5) Stirrers. (6) Splash sticks. (7) Cocktail sticks. (f) 'Standard condiment' means relishes, spices, sauces, confections, or seasonings that require no additional preparation and that are usually used on a food item after preparation, including ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce, hot sauce, salsa, salt, pepper, sugar, and sugar substitutes. (g) 'Third-party food delivery platform' has the same meaning as in Section 113930.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
Full Breakdown
Public Resources Code section 42270 et seq. (AB 1276) prohibits food facilities from automatically including single-use plastic utensils, straws, stirrers, condiment cups, and napkins with takeout or delivery orders. Customers must affirmatively request them, and third-party delivery platforms must require an explicit selection. Riverside County Environmental Health checks compliance during routine inspections in unincorporated areas. The law applies to both dine-in and takeout in food facilities, with limited exemptions for institutional settings such as hospitals and schools. Reusable serviceware for dine-in is encouraged but not mandated.
Violations & Fines
First and second violations: written notice. Third and subsequent: 25 dollars per day, capped at 300 dollars annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still grab utensils at a self-serve counter?
Does this rule apply to delivery apps?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside County
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California single-use items overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.